Subject: A.N.A. Bulletin 4/9/93 From: miltos@nfl2.irc.nrc.ca Athens News Agency Bulletin, September 4, 1993 ============================================== Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - The inner cabinet yesterday expressed its satisfaction at the rapid pace of work on infrastructure projects in Greece , after a briefing by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Achilleas Karamanlis and National Economy Under-secretary Aristides Tsiplakos. Government spokesman Vassilis Manginas said after the meeting that the government would " confidently continue with its modernising course, its policy of modernisation and will operate strictly within the boundaries of the economy". The ministers also briefed the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis, on issues related to the Delors II Package of aid. They detailed work already underway on infrastructure projects and work to begin. The inner cabinet also discussed Mr. Mitsotakis' opening speech at the 58th Thessaloniki International Fair. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos has stressed the Hellenic character of Macedonia in his message to the 58th Thessaloniki International Fair. In his message, addressed to TIF president Alexandros Bakatselos, the Patriarch said he hoped the fair would" reaffirm the impetus and noble character of Macedonia, that most Hellenic land of tradition". "Instead of (this idea) being an element of enrichment and closer friendship among its neighbouring peoples in the Balkans, it has suddenly become the object of intolerable confrontation and discord which ... morally compromises those who do not respect historical truth, peace and progress for those peoples. "Concord is an imperative demand within the framework of a united Europe", the message ended. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) will stand firm on national issues, main opposition leader Andreas Papandreou said yesterday while presenting the party's new manifesto to its National Council. "We cede nothing, we do not aspire to territories, we steadfastly defend every one of our inalienable rights", he told the gathered assembly - consisting of Central Committee members, PASOK deputies and the secretaries of PASOK affiliated organisations - which was also celebrating the 19th anniversary of the party's founding. On Greece's major national issues, Mr. Papandreou said he was in favour of a Panhellenic conference on the Cyprus issue and rejected all "logic of demilitarisation or co-sovereignty (with Turkey)" for the Aegean. On the Skopje issue he said the Greece will not recognise" on its northern border any state whose name includes the term Macedonia or its derivatives". Mr. Papandreou expressed certainty that his party would win the next elections. "On the day after the elections we will once again take in hand the fate of the nation, at a time when Greece is on the verge of national crisis", he said. "The homeland falters, democracy is being tested, the economy is being destructured, our national wealth is being sold off", he added. In presenting the new manifesto, Mr. Papandreou said PASOK's "struggle is inspired by the ideals of democratic socialism". He promised a "radically different and democratic form of government, with absolute transparency of action, social control of administration accompanied by a renewal of persons and the decentralisation of decision - making". "Our movement today faces a great historical challenge. Either it will transform itself simultaneously to the emerging renaissance of Greece and Hellenism so as to truly represent the mature and modern needs of the country and its popular forces or it will become a tradition - bound political formation without prospects", he said. "PASOK's renewal is inseparably connected to a political renaissance - not only as regards ideas, positions, programmes and choices but chiefly in operation, attitudes and practices", he said. Responding to Mr. Papandreou's speech, government spokesman Vassilis Manginas said the PASOK leader had once again" indulged in his well-known boring repetitions and worn generalities". "He has said nothing new and made no proposals", the government spokesman said. "Permanently overtaken by events, using the familiar 'wooden' language of PASOK with the freedom of one who will not be called on to take on the responsibilities of government, he has (perpetrated) unacceptable and absolute slander against the government", Mr. Manginas said. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - President Constantine Karamanlis had a series of separate meetings yesterday with Parliamentary President Athanasios Tsaldaris, former ambassador to London George Papoulias and ND deputy Miltiades Evert. During the meeting Mr. Tsaldaris reported to the president on the legislature's work and progress while Ambassador Papoulias briefed him on his recent New York contacts, as a representative of the Greek government, with Cyprus Vance regarding the Skopje issue. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis yesterday held a meeting with Labour Minister Aristides Kalatzakos, Foreign Under-secretary George Papastamkos, Labour Under-secretary Nikolaos Angelopoulos and other officials to discuss matters falling under the auspices of the Labour Ministry. The allocation of funds from European Social Funds was the main topic of discussion. The Labour Ministry is responsible for the administration of European Social Funds in Greece. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - Turkish F-16 and F-4 combat aircraft infringed air traffic rules and violated national airspace in seven cases in the central Aegean, according to press reports yesterday. The Turkish aircraft were recognised and intercepted by Greek combat aircraft in all cases. Toronto, 4/9/1993 (ANA - A. Gerolymatos) - Four major national issues affecting Greeks in Canada were brought to the attention of Canada's Foreign Minister Perrin Beatty yesterday at a meeting with representatives of the Greek-Canadian Congress. He was handed four reports on Macedonia, Cyprus, human rights violations in North Epirus and pensions for veterans of the Greek resistance movement. In response to demands by the representatives, Mr. Beatty said that Canada would continue to follow the lead of the EC and the United Nations on the Skopje issue and expressed Canada's sympathy for the Cypriot people's struggle. He said Canada would work with the UN to find a just solution in Cyprus and North Epirus. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - The military will hold a joint small-scale exercise codenamed "Jason" at the south-eastern region of Sithonia peninsula in Halkidiki on September 14, a National Defence General Staff statement said yesterday. Live munitions will be used during operations the statement added. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - Constantine Kalligas, a noted journalist, died of a long illness in Athens yesterday. He was 65. His funeral will place at the Athens First Cemetery today at 11.30 a.m. Mr. Kalligas was born in Athens and after graduating from the Athens University Law School, read philosophy at Paris University. On his return to Greece, he worked as a journalist and was elected member of the Athens Journalists' Union in 1952. He was a brilliant writer and linguist and had a thorough knowledge of French and Italian. In his message of condolences, Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis referred to Mr. Kalligas as "modest and frugal, a man who had enriched the cultural life of the nation through his work, and always stood at the front-line in defence of national causes". The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement leader Andreas Papandreou said that "a noble member of the press has left us. Kalligas' loss leaves the public word all the poorer. A man of insight and discretion, he made a substantial contribution to upholding national interest and, through his articles, succeeded in generating a sense of national awareness". Coalition of the Left and Progress President Maria Damanaki said Kalligas' death was "a great loss", and lauded his "sense of ethics and passion for objective reporting". Bonn, 4/9/1993 (ANA - P. Stangos) - The Greek community in Germany has reacted strongly to a directive from a regional authority advising foreigners to seek refuge in their homes to offset racist attacks. The Federation of Greek Communities (FGC ) has criticised the North Rhein - Westfalia Interior Ministry and local police for issuing instructions to foreigners in the region to "draw the curtains of your windows at dusk and lower the blinds". The instructions have been printed in eight languages and were distributed last week. In a letter to Interior Minister Herbert Schnur, FGC President Kostas Pappas said that, though the initiative was "well-meant " he disagreed with the "deeper implications". "(This advice) pits immigrants and aliens against racist and neo-Nazi anti-social elements, with the former defending themselves in their homes with the blinds down and lights switched off and the latter attacking and dominating the streets", he said. The letter stressed that many ethnic organisations consider the campaign "ambiguous and capable of exacerbating the feeling on insecurity and phobia among them". Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - Inflation was running at an annual rate of 14.6 per cent at the end of August, compared to 15.3 per cent in the same month last year, according to figures released by the National Statistics Service yesterday. NSS Secretary General Emmanuel Kontopyrakis told a press conference that inflation was expected to drop to 13.5 per cent in September and below 13 per cent in October. He said the consumer price index in August had increased by 0.4 per cent, compared to a 1.9 per cent drop in July. Athens, 4/9/1993 (ANA) - Greek National Economy and Finance Minister Stephanos Manos said yesterday the government was pushing full speed ahead to complete its privatisation programme by the end of the year. "The privatisation programme is moving at a rapid pace so that all procedures can be completed by the end of 1993", Mr. Manos told a news conference. "These works will change the face and structure of the Greek economy", he said. The presented timetables for project completion dates. The programme includes the 35 per cent sale of the state phone company (OTE) and its management to a foreign company, denationalisation of the state petroleum company, construction of a new international airport, private owned power supply plants and eight casinos. Mr. Manos said the projects would attract investments estimated at 2.9 trillion drachmas and create over 21.000 jobs.